The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major cause of cervical cancer. Screening for infection with HPV is a way of identifying those women who might be at higer risk for developing cervical cancer.(1)(2)
The HPV DNA test is used in conjunction with the Pap test in cervical cancer screening. It is recommended for women over the age of 30 to reduce the need for Pap tests.
How it works: A Pap test can detect cellular abnormalities. The HPV DNA test can detect the presence of high risk HPV DNA. An HPV test uses the same method as a Pap test to obtain a cervical sample, but a different test is run on the cells that can determine whether or not high-risk HPV infection is present. As with any medical test, the HPV test is not 100% accurate The test uses a small brush or spatula to collect a sample of cells from the surface of the cervix (see below). The test in not painful since the cells are taken only from the surface.(1)(2)
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